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Peace, Culture and
Education
 Part of a global network of dedicated individuals,
currently represented in 192 countries, SGI is a Non-Government
Organisation with formal ties to the United Nations. SGI actively
promotes peace, culture and education in local communities around
the world. SGI members, inspired by SGI President Ikeda, strive to
contribute in areas such as the arts, music, inter-faith dialogues
and raising awareness through educational activities and
exhibitions.
Since his presidency, SGI President Ikeda has been an advocate
of cross-cultural exchange. His conviction is that music, art and
other cultural expressions enhance the richness of human life and
can inspire mutual respect and understanding in our diverse world.
He is the founder of institutions such as the Boston Research
Centre for the 21st Century, the Toda Institute for Global Peace
and Policy Research, Soka Universities in Japan and the USA, the
Soka School System, the Min-On Music museum and concert hall and
the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.
United Nations Peace
Proposal
Every year since 1983, SGI President Ikeda has published a peace proposal and
presents this to the United Nations. These proposals explore the
interrelation between core Buddhist concepts and the diverse
challenges global society faces in the effort to realise peace and
human security.
Josei Toda’s Declaration for
the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons
In September 1957, Toda made a declaration calling for the
abolition of nuclear weapons. This address by Toda has had a deep
impact on shaping the passion of Soka Gakkai members towards
contributing in practical ways to peace internationally, nationally
and locally.
It has inspired young people in particular to challenge the
destructive tendencies that exist in society by taking part in
activities such as the Oceania Youth Peace Conference held in
Sydney in September 2006. In SGI Australia, young people
participate in additional activities, study and training
opportunities. Through such positive expressions of hope, they
actively contribute to a fundamental transformation in the life
state of humanity.
Community Activities in
Australia
Exhibitions, seminars, conferences and contributing to local
community events are some of the collaborative activities in which
SGI Australia participates. SGI Australia also enjoys close
friendships with various leading universities, peace research
institutes and community organisations.
While SGI Australia’s contribution to the community is best
expressed in group discussion meetings, members also participate in
and support community activities and festivals such as Clean Up
Australia Day and Harmony Day. In this way, members strive to be
good citizens and active participants in their local community.
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